5 Questions to Help You Discover Your Calling

If you ask most people what their "calling" in life is, you're likely to get either their job title or a blank stare. But what if your calling isn't meant to be a mystery? What if it's closer than you think? In this episode, we'll discuss the 5 questions that can help you discover your God-given calling, so that you can walk into your destiny with confidence. 

1. What am I better at than most people?
   • It’s not enough for you to do something well. Something you’re good at is a gift, but something you’re exceptional at is more likely to be your calling.
   • For example, I think I'm a good cook, but I'm not good enough to become a chef. I am, however, better than most people at writing.
   • Thinking about your gifts in general terms will keep you confused. You need to drill down and focus if you want clarity. 
2. What do I love to do?
   • There is a lot of debate online about whether you should pursue "passion or profit." I think that misses the point. Your passion is an important part of who you are, and it needs to be acknowledged, even if you don't make a living pursuing it.
   • Your passions can change over time. Some passions are only for a season, and that’s okay.
   • It’s also fine to have more than one passion. 
3. What makes you angry and keeps you up at night?
   • For example, I have a friend who loves animals and hates when they're abused, which led to her taking a job as a veterinarian assistant.
4. What problems are you uniquely equipped to solve?
   • As queen of Persia, Esther was able to use her royal position and her connection to the Jewish people to save them from destruction.
   • As a wealthy German businessman, Oskar Schindler was able to save over 1,200 Jewish people from being sent to concentration camps during World War II. 
   • Look at your upbringing, culture, personality and personal history to help you identify what problems you can solve that few others can.
5. Who are your people?
   • I like to call this your “belong group.” In other words, these are the people who speak your language and respond to your ideas with enthusiasm and support.
   • In business, this is your audience. In church, it may be your area of ministry.
   • No one is called to everyone. Even Jesus was limited in his area of ministry (See Matthew 15:24).

Use these questions to help you decide whether a job, project or volunteer opportunity is the right fit for you. Each individual task you complete won’t check all of these boxes, but the combination of your life experiences (work, family, community, etc.) should.

Action Step:
Take 30 minutes to answer the 5 questions outlined in this episode. Did any of your answers surprise you? If so, how?

References:

• Episode 2: "Purpose, Calling, Assignment: What's the Difference?"